How to Stretch the Trapezius Muscle

The trapezius muscle covers a large area of the back, neck and shoulders. Its main function is to move the scapula, or shoulder blade, and help support your arms. If you spend a lot of time sitting at a desk or behind the wheel of a car, the trapezius muscle can shorten and tighten, which affects mobility in your neck.

Melanie Woodland
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Exercises for the Lower Spine Locked in a Right Rotation

Lower back pain can stem from your spine and the sacroiliac joint that connects the bottom of your spine with your pelvis. At its most painful, your back can feel locked in place, as if it won’t rotate easily from your right-turning position.

Rachel Nall
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Seeing Spots While Stretching

Slight visual disturbances during activity, including stretching, are not usually cause for concern, according to the AllAboutVision.com website. In some cases, however, seeing spots – often referred to as "seeing stars" – can mean a serious problem with your eyes.

Solomon Branch
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Can Certain Vitamins Help Tight Muscles?

Muscle tightness is caused by short, involuntary contractions of the muscles typically due to exercise. Vitamins work together with the other nutrients of the body to improve absorption, circulation and overall function of the muscles, organs and tissues.

Alexis Jenkins
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How Long to Hold Stretches?

Stretching elongates your muscles, increasing your flexibility. Increased flexibility gives you a wider range of motion between your joints. Gaining this added flexibility takes time.

Lynda Schwartz
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Why Do You Stretch After Sleeping?

Every morning when you wake up, instinct takes over, and you feel compelled to stretch out your body. Why do we do this? Aside from feeling good, it actually does help to wake you up. Stretching works to increase flexibility and range of motion in the muscles and joints.

Heather Hitchcock
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Soleus Muscle Stretches

The soleus muscle is located on the back of your leg just above the Achilles tendon, extending up to the main calf muscle. Because it's used to generate power for pushing off the ground with the foot, it's subject to injury, overuse and fatigue if not stretched properly.

James Patterson
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How to Exercise the Masseter Muscle

You couldn't open or close your mouth without your masseter muscles. Imbalances or tightness of the masseter on each side of your jaw can contribute to temporo-mandibular joint, or TMJ disorder. Characterized by pain, stiffness and clicking in your jaw, TMJ can cause headaches and neck pain.

Max Whitmore
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How to Stretch the Diaphragm and Longitudinal Muscle

The diaphragm and longitudinal muscles of the stomach play an important role in everyday functions. The diaphragm is responsible for supplying the force behind every breath you take; your longitudinal muscles help stabilize your body when you are moving around.

Judith Tompkins
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Sharp Pains in the Abdomen When Stretching & Twisting

Sharp pains in your abdomen can be as minor as gastrointestinal gas, or as serious as appendicitis. Movements such as stretching or twisting of your torso and abdomen may aggravate your symptoms. Treatment varies based on the cause, but may include rest, over-the-counter medications and in some cases surgery.

Hannah Mich
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What Are Hurdle Stretches?

Hurdle stretches have been used by sports teams and physical education teachers for years to stretch the hamstring muscle. However, this stretch is falling out of favor among coaches and educators because it poses a higher injury risk than other hamstring stretches.

Linda Tarr Kent
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Ovarian Pain When Coughing or Stretching

Diagnosing and managing medical conditions in women suffering from lower-abdominal pain can be challenging for physicians. If you are experiencing pelvic pain when you cough or stretch, seek medical attention.

Allison Stevens
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